Youth Suicide Prevention

In our state, an average of two young people under 25 die by suicide every week and as many as one out of five students have seriously considered suicide in the last year. One in five 10 graders acknowledged on the 2012 Healthy Youth Survey that they had used an illegal drug in the last 30 days and about one in four had consumed alcohol in the last 30 days. One in twelve 10 graders reported a physical fight on school property in the last month and one in three 6 graders reported being bullied on school property in the last 30 days. About a third of Washington students report signs of depression within the last year. All of these problems have a greater impact among more vulnerable populations of students, such as those experiencing poverty, contact with the child welfare system, and identity-based discrimination. These issues have a serious impact on students and families in schools and communities across the state of Washington.

Walla Walla Public Schools recognizes the school plays a unique and important role in the prevention of youth suicide, violence, and substance abuse and in the identification and treatment of mental health disorders in our community. Walla Walla Public Schools has developed a plan aimed at prevention, support for students experiencing emotional and behavioral distress and supporting school communities after a student’s death. This plan is shared with staff and is reviewed and updated annually.